Mayor Tom Tate ‘deeply upset’ after pet involved in attack on another dog on Coast street

An elderly woman has been left shaken and with a minor flesh wound after Mayor Tom Tate’s dog targeted her schnauzer on a Gold Coast street.

ONE of Mayor Tom Tate’s dogs has been involved in an attack with an older woman on a Gold Coast suburban street, according to residents.

Residents said the woman was walking her schnauzer along Freyburg Street at Sorrento just after 2pm today when it was targeted by a larger dog. The Mayor lives in the suburb.

Tom Tate arrives to secure his dog after the incident.

A male resident told the Bulletin: “I heard a thump (out the front), then barking. There was a dog squealing and squealing.

“Everyone came out of their units. A guy who pulled up in a ute fended the (larger) dog off with a stick. The dog wasn’t aggressive at that stage.

“It came over to me. I put a rope around it. He (the mayor) pulled up in his SUV Mercedes. He got out. He said ‘it’s my dog’.”

Mayor Tate said he was “very upset by what happened”.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN FOR $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS

Residents have identified the larger dog as Cr Tate’s American Bulldog Jaidee. He owns another dog, a rescue dog from the AWL called Boss.

Residents said the older woman, who they estimated was 70 years old, was shaken and had sustained a minor flesh wound to her hand.

An ambulance was called to a nearby home at 2.25pm in response to a dog bite incident but their services were not required and no-one was transported from the home.

“It was more shock than anything else,” a resident said.

Tom Tate with his dog Jaidee at his home. Photo: Glenn Hunt/The Australian.

MORE NEWS

Hillcrest board defends principal as students return

When M1 upgrade will be complete

Builder dubs union protest a ‘stunt’

The resident added that Cr Tate assisted the woman and his dog was removed and taken home. Council dog officers turned up at the scene later.

In a statement Mayor Tom Tate said he was “deeply upset” by the incident.

“I’m deeply upset to report this afternoon my dog Jaidee was involved in an incident with another dog,” he said.

“My dog had escaped my fully fenced house through a door accidentally left open.

“Jaidee approached a woman walking a small dog on a lead a couple of streets away and the two dogs were involved in an altercation.

“A passer-by assisted the lady in separating the dogs. Around this time Ruth and myself arrived at the scene with Jaidee and the woman involved.”

Mayor Tom Tate with his dog Boss. Photo: Steve Holland

He said his wife, Ruth, took their dog home, while he assisted the injured woman.

“Ruth put Jaidee into our car and drove him home while I assisted the lady after checking her dog, walking her and her dog back to their home.

“I thanked the passer-by in assisting with separating the dogs. The lady was obviously shaken and upset from the incident.

Tom Tate with his dog Jaidee at his home. Photo: Glenn Hunt/The Australian

“Council animal management officers were made aware of the incident and have treated this as any other dog attack, following standard procedures investigating such an incident.

“City officers have visited the other dog owner involved to get her statement.

“They have also visited my home and ensured my house and Jaidee are safely secured, along with my statement.”

Tom Tate relaxing at home with Jaidee and Boss. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

Cr Tate said his dog had no previous history of attacking other dogs.

“Jaidee has no previous animal management history with the City since Ruth and I rescued him from the pound.

“This is an unfortunate incident and Ruth and myself are deeply upset ourselves being dog lovers.”